Cell separator device

Abstract

A cell separator which can separate cells, especially lymphocytes, with high selectivity and high efficiency without changing the cell population ratio of the cells. The cell separator comprises fibrous material containing fibers including hydroxyl apatite.

We claim: 
     
       1. A device for separating cells with high selectivity and reproducibility and without substantially changing the cell population, which comprises: a separating column;   fibers containing hydroxyl apatite disposed in said separating column;   inlet means for introducing cells to be separated into said separating column; and   outlet means for removing cells from said separating column.   
     
     
       2. The device of claim 1 wherein the content of the hydroxyl apatite in the fiber is 25 to 50% by weight. 
     
     
       3. The device of claim 1 wherein a reinforcing material is incorporated into the fiber. 
     
     
       4. The device of claim 3 wherein the reinforcing material is calcium phosphate and water glass which is present in an amount of up to 25% by weight. 
     
     
       5. The device of claim 1 wherein the cell separator contains water in an amount of up to 50% by weight. 
     
     
       6. The device of claim 1 wherein the hydroxyl apatite is Ca 5  (PO 4 ) 3  (OH) in which the molar ratio of Ca/P is 1.4 to 1.8. 
     
     
       7. The device of claim 1 wherein the diameter of the fiber is 1 to 100 μm. 
     
     
       8. The device of claim 1 wherein the weight of the fibrous cell separator is 5 g/m 2  to 500 g/m 2 . 
     
     
       9. The device of claim 1 wherein the column further contains granules of hydroxly apatite. 
     
     
       10. A device for separating cells with high selectivity and reproducibility and without substantially changing the cells population which comprises a column, inlet means for introducing cells to be separated into said column; outlet means for removing cells from said column, a filter disposed at the lower portion of the column, and fibers containing hydroxyl apatite disposed on said filter. 
     
     
       11. The device of claim 10 wherein hydroxyl apatite granules are placed on the filter and under the fibrous bydroxyl apatite. 
     
     
       12. The device of claim 11 wherein the average diameter of the hydroxyl apatite granules is 1 to 2000 μm. 
     
     
       13. The device of claim 11 wherein the granules are sintered at a temperature of 500° to 1,4000° C.